I Want to Learn How to Build Computers

Doer. · 02-06-2008, 06:41 AM

I've been wanting to for a while now. I have an idea on how to put a setup together, but I know there are probably things I don't know. Like for instance, I didn't know you need a 64 bit OS for 4gb of ram. I do have a basic understanding of the sockets and tech specs, but still more to be learned.

I was wondering if anyone was willing to teach me a few things. I have IM and MSN, whatever works for you. Basically,

I want to learn how to put a setup together (I know how to do this now, but I know there are things I should know that I dont)

I want to learn how to put it all together

I want to learn how to overclock

I want to understand the specs

If this sounds like to much, I'm willing to pay for it. I am paypal verified, and my word is good.

If you would like to help me out, my MSN is doer030288@hotmail.com, and my IM is do3r17

atomic tofu · 02-06-2008, 06:48 AM

actually you don't need a 64bit os for 4gb of ram...and I'll leave it at that and see what others might say

and I can only add, to keep things on the up and up, you can just by a motherboard, read the manual and the rest should fall into place

MrCoffee · 02-06-2008, 06:49 AM

I'm sure any questions you have the forum members here will be happy to help if you post it up, there are several good guides stickied in the various forums too, it wouldn't hurt to check those out.
So far as putting a computer together is concerned its pretty straight forward and most hardware comes with pretty concise instructions these days, there are common pitfalls such as not firmly seating the ram or incorrectly installing the CPU heatsink but you'll get the hang of it real quick.

vernong1992 · 02-06-2008, 06:52 AM

Build a System: Page 1

thats a decent guide, to start of learning how to build it, and its a good explanation of stuff too

Doer. · 02-06-2008, 07:03 AM

cool, thanks for the advice so far.

by the way, I just wanted to say these forums are awesome, their super active. Hard to find that in forums with so many forums scattering everybody around.

Ok I went through that all, and have a few questions. First, are there any sites that show you how to boot up from BIOS settings, he skips over that. Also, once the OS is installed, don't you have to install all the programs for things like the graphics card and such?

also, he doesn't mention using thermal paste to install the CPU, is that a necessity?

Ste · 02-06-2008, 09:19 AM

For a first Timer, no guide will include everything, you will just have to figure it out as you go. But to answer your questions.

Sites, Im not sure but I can tell you through a generlization.
Entering the CMOS setup (Or BIOS as everyone calls it now) can be done by press one or two keys on the keyboard duiring Power On Self Test (POST), it is dependant on the motherboard manufactur, however it is usually F1 or Delete.

Technically you don't have to install anything after the OS is installed, but of course it is reccomended that you first install the motherboard drivers, all drivers on the included disk, Install video card drivers next along with anything relating to the moniter, Optical drives or additional PCI cards.
You can activate windows next and continue to install whatever programs or applications you need.

It is reccomeneded that you install an anti virus program and turn on the firewall before connecting to the internet for windows update and other program updates.

As for the thermal paste, there are two methods basically. The dot and line methods.
The Dot method, Place a Cooked white rice sized grain of thermal paste at the exact center of the CPU, then clamp down and secure the heatsink. The heatsink will do all the spreading.

The line Method, make a small line through the center of the CPU, then secure the heatsink. The heatsink will spread the Thermal paste.

You should make the line slightly thicker than that.. But it gets the point acrossed, I have always used the Dot method...

And yes, Thermal Paste is required.. Always.

Invisible · 02-06-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doer.

Ok I went through that all, and have a few questions. First, are there any sites that show you how to boot up from BIOS settings, he skips over that. Also, once the OS is installed, don't you have to install all the programs for things like the graphics card and such?

also, he doesn't mention using thermal paste to install the CPU, is that a necessity?

well you should always have the latest drivers for graphics cards and sound cards and such

and thermal paste is a necessity, if your not an overclocker then use the paste that comes with the cpu, if you are an overclocker then buy some mx-2

optimist4613 · 02-06-2008, 09:26 AM

Go onto youtube and search build a computer there are some useful videos that can help you! Check it out

Doer. · 02-06-2008, 09:35 AM

ok, thanks. So you put the thermal paste on the top. Glad you showed me that, I would of thought it goes on the front.

Donnie309 · 02-06-2008, 10:32 AM

Or you can use thermal pads which can be easier for a beginner.

Amazon.com: StarTech HSFPHASECM Thermal Pad Heatsink Paste Alternative, Package of 5: Electronics

02-06-2008, 06:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Doer. Junior Techie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 91	I Want to Learn How to Build Computers I've been wanting to for a while now. I have an idea on how to put a setup together, but I know there are probably things I don't know. Like for instance, I didn't know you need a 64 bit OS for 4gb of ram. I do have a basic understanding of the sockets and tech specs, but still more to be learned. I was wondering if anyone was willing to teach me a few things. I have IM and MSN, whatever works for you. Basically, I want to learn how to put a setup together (I know how to do this now, but I know there are things I should know that I dont) I want to learn how to put it all together I want to learn how to overclock I want to understand the specs If this sounds like to much, I'm willing to pay for it. I am paypal verified, and my word is good. If you would like to help me out, my MSN is doer030288@hotmail.com, and my IM is do3r17

02-06-2008, 06:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
atomic tofu Normal average person Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,595	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers actually you don't need a 64bit os for 4gb of ram...and I'll leave it at that and see what others might say and I can only add, to keep things on the up and up, you can just by a motherboard, read the manual and the rest should fall into place __________________ In this day and age, with all the ugliness in the real world that surrounds us, we should leave all the pretentiousness aside on anonymous forums.

02-06-2008, 06:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
MrCoffee Monster Techie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,746	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers I'm sure any questions you have the forum members here will be happy to help if you post it up, there are several good guides stickied in the various forums too, it wouldn't hurt to check those out. So far as putting a computer together is concerned its pretty straight forward and most hardware comes with pretty concise instructions these days, there are common pitfalls such as not firmly seating the ram or incorrectly installing the CPU heatsink but you'll get the hang of it real quick. __________________ XP3000 Barton (stock speeds due to instability) Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2 v2.0 Corsair Value 2x512MB CL2.5 PC3200 Raptor WD740GD 70GB, SCSI Maxtor Atlas IV 74GB, 80GB ATA Barracuda SB Audigy Benq FP91G+ (x2) EVGA 7800 GS CO (@430/1300) Razer Diamondback Plasma IceMat Siberia Headset

02-06-2008, 06:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
vernong1992 Mod and Post Count Hacker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15,662	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers Build a System: Page 1 thats a decent guide, to start of learning how to build it, and its a good explanation of stuff too __________________ AMD Athlon64 X2 4600+ 2.4Ghz/ Arctic Freezer Pro64 Biostar TA780G-M2+ / 2GB DDR2 1066 RAM 80gb Western Digital Caviar / Windows Server 2008 Antec BP550 / Coolermaster Centurion 534 Soundblaster Audigy (OH NOES IT STOPPED WORKING! I NEED AN X-FI!) / Steelsound 3H Headset HD 3200.. (trying to troubleshoot my HD 2900 Pro right now..) I do not accept support requests by PM, Profile or IM/Email. Please ask it on the forums! I need to RMA myself because I was DOA when I was born.

02-06-2008, 07:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Doer. Junior Techie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 91	cool, thanks for the advice so far. by the way, I just wanted to say these forums are awesome, their super active. Hard to find that in forums with so many forums scattering everybody around. Ok I went through that all, and have a few questions. First, are there any sites that show you how to boot up from BIOS settings, he skips over that. Also, once the OS is installed, don't you have to install all the programs for things like the graphics card and such? also, he doesn't mention using thermal paste to install the CPU, is that a necessity? Last edited by Trotter; 02-06-2008 at 09:20 AM. Reason: Merged posts

02-06-2008, 09:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ste lvl Infinite Psychopath Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mount Prospect, IL Posts: 8,480	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers For a first Timer, no guide will include everything, you will just have to figure it out as you go. But to answer your questions. Sites, Im not sure but I can tell you through a generlization. Entering the CMOS setup (Or BIOS as everyone calls it now) can be done by press one or two keys on the keyboard duiring Power On Self Test (POST), it is dependant on the motherboard manufactur, however it is usually F1 or Delete. Technically you don't have to install anything after the OS is installed, but of course it is reccomended that you first install the motherboard drivers, all drivers on the included disk, Install video card drivers next along with anything relating to the moniter, Optical drives or additional PCI cards. You can activate windows next and continue to install whatever programs or applications you need. It is reccomeneded that you install an anti virus program and turn on the firewall before connecting to the internet for windows update and other program updates. As for the thermal paste, there are two methods basically. The dot and line methods. The Dot method, Place a Cooked white rice sized grain of thermal paste at the exact center of the CPU, then clamp down and secure the heatsink. The heatsink will do all the spreading. The line Method, make a small line through the center of the CPU, then secure the heatsink. The heatsink will spread the Thermal paste. You should make the line slightly thicker than that.. But it gets the point acrossed, I have always used the Dot method... And yes, Thermal Paste is required.. Always. __________________ Read The Rules!! Power Supply Guide Intel Overclocking Thread AMD Overclocking Thread Other Important Threads I'm sorry but I do not accept support requests via IM, email, or personal messages There will come a day, such a day when all will be told more than they wish to know, what one hears may explain the past, it may explain the future, but it has never made a difference either way and it will change nothing. Some day.... But that is not this day, and I don't know when, I just don't know.

02-06-2008, 09:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
optimist4613 Newb Techie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 42	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers Go onto youtube and search build a computer there are some useful videos that can help you! Check it out __________________ Dells are good for somethings bad for others! Not!

02-06-2008, 09:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Doer. Junior Techie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 91	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers ok, thanks. So you put the thermal paste on the top. Glad you showed me that, I would of thought it goes on the front.

02-06-2008, 10:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
Donnie309 Newb Techie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	Re: I Want to Learn How to Build Computers Or you can use thermal pads which can be easier for a beginner. Amazon.com: StarTech HSFPHASECM Thermal Pad Heatsink Paste Alternative, Package of 5: Electronics Last edited by Donnie309; 02-06-2008 at 10:34 AM. Reason: change link

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